Sorry for the delay in posting! Your complaints (you know who you are!) have been duly noted and here I am!
So, what have we been up to? School, school, and more school- for the kids and Tony! Many of you have asked how Tony is doing. Medical school is okay. He is taking 25 hours, which is mostly 2 classes- Biochemistry and Gross Anatomy. He enjoys the learning, but the tests are killers--- filled with poorly written questions!
The profs keep telling the students to get the big picture- don't get too focused on the trees, but make sure to see the forest (ie: clinical/practical relevance). Then come the tests, which cover not only the trees, but the bark on the trees--- forget about seeing the "forest"! And each test (every 10 days in each class) is the equivalent of one semester's worth of undergrad science. So that means that every ten days, he takes the equivalent of 2 semester finals. The minutia of it is frustrating. Tony knows most of what he is memorizing has no clinical relevance, but you have to know it in order to pass the class. He is passing, and we are grateful.
Tony is also teaching 5 classes in Dallas and trying to launch his business. He is the only student in all of Texas A&M Medical School that is working outside of school! But, he is very dedicated to taking 3-4 hours off every evening to hang with the kids and I. Last night, we went bowling. It was fun! The only downer in his schedule is that it just doesn't let up. When he has a break at school, he has things to take care of for his classes in Dallas, as well as business stuff. He works Saturdays, but is committed to taking Sundays off. As hectic as it all is, he is being very vigilant to take time off to be with us. We are grateful.
Speaking of Sundays, we are REALLY enjoying our new church, White Stone Family Bible Church. There are about 12 other home schooling families, most of whom have already graduated a few kiddos. Their experience is so helpful and inspiring! The kids are meeting some wonderful, godly kids that they are enjoying fellowshipping with, as well.
The leader of the Georgetown Christian Home Educators group attends our church. I joined this group and the kids are taking Friday PE classes with them. It is a large co-op. The kids PE classes have 120 slots per sport and the slots were filled in about 10 minutes the night of orientation. Thankfully, I was able to get the kids signed up for all 5 sports. Last month, they did bowling. This month and next, they are doing soccer. In their scrimmage last week, Ally Beth scored the only goal that her team made! She is loving it. In January and February, the kids will do basketball. In March and April, they will take gymnastics during PE time and in May, they will do canoeing. It has been so much fun for them and we have met a few new friends. NOTHING, though, can replace my beloved friends at MHSC! Miss you all SO MUCH!
I am enjoying a saner, simpler schedule. Not being overly involved in anything has freed us up and we are having a better school year for it. We are getting tons of learning done and the stress levels are much lower than ever in our school. We are home most every day, all day. It is great. Thank you, Lord!
Caleb is growing by leaps and bounds and we are loving and enjoying every minute. He talks non-stop (wonder where he gets that :-) and is so happy! He is a bright spot in the days when Tony's schedule is hectic.
The last thing--- Tony will shoot me for sharing this, but I'm just so proud that I have to----The big news is that we found out that Tony has been granted Fellow Status with the American Heart Association. He has conducted research with AHA and has also helped to write the national guidelines for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), which all nurses and physicians must know. Being chosen to be a fellow is HUGE!!! He is 1 out of only 3 or 4 non-M.D.'s to be granted Fellow Status with American Heart. Thank you, Jesus! To You be the glory!
Thank you for your prayers for us. Keep 'em coming. We need to stay focused on and in love with Jesus, our Lord.
Love you all! Amy
